Scan barcode
A review by littlemissducky
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
THE MIND OF SABAA TAHIR. the most epic high fantasy book i've laid my eyes on. i didn't even plan to buy this book but it was on sale so i decided to give it a go. BEST DECISION THIS BRAIN HAS EVER MADE. where do i begin... this review will start with my fangirling and end with my fangirling.
i felt myself not breathing more than once during the duration of this book. reading it is like drowning in liquid gold - it's fucking gorgeous but you're literally suffocated. this world is so intense that you can't help but feel for the main characters. your blood will boil in half a second and your heart will break even faster. even though the Empire is a fictional world; it has an insane resemblance with the world we live in - how people are forced to categorize each other to avoid pain. The system, the leaders, the creatures; this book is the epitome of dystopian novels.
i adored the main characters so much, and it is incredibly refreshing to see into the characters i've deemed "shallow" when i read the first few chapters. Laia is the most wonderful breath of air. she's the main character that i'm sure many people will see themselves in (even if this is a fantasy novel) i surely did. so many times i just wanted to hug her, comfort her and assure her of her abilities. her bravery, selflessness and strength will forever inspire me. Elias is... my entire soul aches for him. i cannot imagine the amount of stress, trauma and dilemma he has to face every day. he reminds me of Achilles, but better :) he's so broken, cracked, but possesses the warmest heart. aside from the darker stuff, Elias' humor is top tier. Laia and Elias is an iconic duo, i grinned like a maniac at the most unexpected scenes. finally Helene. i don't want to spoil anything, but i think she is the character that has the most depth i've ever read about. i'm more in awe with her the further i read. and she is a BADASS. i'm eager to find out more about her character development.
Sabaa Tahir crafted the maddest world and developed it in the most captivating way. her writing skills is out of this world, the character development >>> everything. i can see everything, feel everything so vividly. i obsessively underlined quotes in this book. she can stab me with a scim and i will say thank you.
i can't stop thinking about this book. and i'm even more excited for the next 3 books. ms. Sabaa Tahir has my bank account in a chokehold, idc, be my guest.
READ IT, PEOPLE.
i felt myself not breathing more than once during the duration of this book. reading it is like drowning in liquid gold - it's fucking gorgeous but you're literally suffocated. this world is so intense that you can't help but feel for the main characters. your blood will boil in half a second and your heart will break even faster. even though the Empire is a fictional world; it has an insane resemblance with the world we live in - how people are forced to categorize each other to avoid pain. The system, the leaders, the creatures; this book is the epitome of dystopian novels.
i adored the main characters so much, and it is incredibly refreshing to see into the characters i've deemed "shallow" when i read the first few chapters. Laia is the most wonderful breath of air. she's the main character that i'm sure many people will see themselves in (even if this is a fantasy novel) i surely did. so many times i just wanted to hug her, comfort her and assure her of her abilities. her bravery, selflessness and strength will forever inspire me. Elias is... my entire soul aches for him. i cannot imagine the amount of stress, trauma and dilemma he has to face every day. he reminds me of Achilles, but better :) he's so broken, cracked, but possesses the warmest heart. aside from the darker stuff, Elias' humor is top tier. Laia and Elias is an iconic duo, i grinned like a maniac at the most unexpected scenes. finally Helene. i don't want to spoil anything, but i think she is the character that has the most depth i've ever read about. i'm more in awe with her the further i read. and she is a BADASS. i'm eager to find out more about her character development.
Sabaa Tahir crafted the maddest world and developed it in the most captivating way. her writing skills is out of this world, the character development >>> everything. i can see everything, feel everything so vividly. i obsessively underlined quotes in this book. she can stab me with a scim and i will say thank you.
i can't stop thinking about this book. and i'm even more excited for the next 3 books. ms. Sabaa Tahir has my bank account in a chokehold, idc, be my guest.
READ IT, PEOPLE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape and War